Analysis exhibits that firm swag could be a extremely efficient instrument for reinforcing engagement. In truth, in a single current research, 61% of survey respondents agreed that promotional merchandise assist construct model consciousness, and 58% reported that they cherished getting swag.
That being mentioned, by means of my expertise as the pinnacle of selling at two completely different tech firms, I’ve discovered that not all swag is equally well-received. What does it take to just be sure you spend money on creating swag that folks will really like?
On this article, I’ll begin by explaining what firm swag is and the right way to order it, after which I’ll dive into a few of my favourite concepts for firm swag.
What’s Firm Swag?
Broadly talking, “swag” refers to any form of present or product that firms give away at no cost in an effort to drive engagement and model consciousness.
In lots of circumstances, swag is used as a gross sales instrument. For instance, giving items to shoppers might be a good way to ensure current clients really feel valued — and to maintain your model top-of-mind. Equally, many firms give out small, branded objects such, as pens or pencils, to potential clients at conferences or different occasions.
Nevertheless, swag isn’t only a gross sales instrument. One other vital software of firm swag is as a instrument for retention and worker engagement.
Whether or not as a welcome present for brand spanking new staff, a vacation present for a complete workforce, or a congratulations present for workforce members who’ve reached an anniversary milestone, giving staff swag helps them really feel appreciated.
Plus, if the swag is one thing they’ll use or put on of their day-to-day lives — like a water bottle or hoodie along with your firm’s brand — it permits them to function ambassadors of the corporate wherever they go.
Methods to Order Swag
Clearly, firm swag might be massively priceless — but it surely’s additionally simple to get it incorrect. Particularly, in relation to ordering swag, it’s very important to ensure to contemplate the finances you’ll be able to afford to take a position, the amount of swag objects you’ll want, one of the best distributors to work with, and the lead time it’ll take.
Funds
The primary vital consideration to remember is finances. Whilst you could also be tempted to launch straight into designing and ordering your swag, I’ve discovered firsthand that it’s important to start out by ensuring you know the way a lot you’ll be able to spend on the venture.
In some organizations, there’s already a longtime finances for swag, whether or not on a month-to-month or annual foundation. That mentioned, even when the finances is ready, it’s nonetheless important to keep away from making assumptions: I like to recommend getting express approval for the precise quantity you propose to spend to keep away from working into issues or misaligned expectations down the road.
In different circumstances, there is probably not a predefined finances. For instance, I labored with a startup that had by no means ordered swag earlier than, so my boss wasn’t certain how a lot we ought to be spending on it.
For those who don’t have a finances, you’ll be able to benchmark towards different main line objects in your workforce’s finances, do some on-line analysis, and ask for enter from colleagues to get a way of what can be affordable.
Then, you’ll be able to share that estimate with the related decision-makers — and once more, be sure you get express approval earlier than clicking “purchase.”
Amount
The subsequent query you’ll want to consider is amount. What number of shirts, hats, or pens do you want? Answering this query will depend upon how you plan to make use of the swag.
If you wish to get one thing for each worker in your workforce or in your division, begin by counting the variety of anticipated recipients. Bear in mind to account for potential new additions to the workforce, in addition to some extras, in case you’ve forgotten anybody.
Alongside the variety of recipients, there’s additionally the query of timing. After I’ve ordered swag prior to now, it’s generally for a single, one-off occasion, however extra usually, I’ve deliberate to make use of a single order of swag for a number of occasions.
For instance, if you happen to’re shopping for branded water bottles for brand spanking new staff, it in all probability doesn’t make sense to only purchase sufficient to your present cohort of recent hires. As a substitute, it could be price estimating what number of new hires you count on to have over the subsequent six months and even the subsequent yr, and getting sufficient swag to final you thru a number of cohorts.
Distributors
When you’ve decided how a lot you’ll be able to spend and the tough quantity of swag you’ll want, it’s time to start out fascinated about distributors. There are numerous choices for swag distributors, all of whom provide several types of merchandise at completely different value factors and high quality ranges.
For those who’re unsure the place to start out, a fast Google search can get you some preliminary choices. As well as, I all the time advocate asking pals or coworkers for his or her recommendation. They can inform you a couple of vendor that you simply wouldn’t have discovered by yourself, and enter from somebody you belief might help enhance your confidence that the seller will ship as promised.
Plus, some distributors provide referral offers and reductions, doubtlessly saving each you and your colleague some money.
Lead Time
Lastly, don’t overlook about lead time, or the time it’ll take for a vendor to make and ship your swag to you. That is particularly vital if you happen to’ve received a tough deadline, like a convention or vacation social gathering the place you propose to present out the swag.
In my expertise, you’re unlikely to discover a vendor who can provide a lead time of lower than 5-10 enterprise days — so be certain that to plan forward, and construct some additional buffer time into your schedule in case of delays.
Finest Firm Swag Concepts
All proper, so that you’ve set a finances, selected amount, chosen a vendor, and accounted for lead time. However what precisely must you order? Under, I’ve shared a few of my favourite firm swag concepts, from attire to wellness and past.
Attire
One of many largest advantages of attire is that if staff just like the swag, they’ll put on it for years, spreading consciousness of your model all over the place they go. Listed below are a few of my favourite choices for attire swag.
Hats
Who doesn’t want a hat? One of many lower-cost varieties of attire, hats are all the time a preferred swag choice. For those who’re in a hotter local weather, strive baseball caps, and if you happen to’re someplace with colder climate, beanies could also be extra appreciated.
T-Shirts
Branded T-shirts are one other nice giveaway. They’re additionally choice if you happen to’re trying to get a bit extra inventive along with your design, since there’s loads of room to incorporate not simply your brand, however a {custom} slogan or different design parts.
Hoodies
For those who’ve received a bit extra finances, everybody loves a pleasant, cozy hoodie. These are an particularly good concept in case your workforce is predicated someplace with colder climate, or in case your workplace tends to have the air con cranked up.
Socks
Socks are a enjoyable swag concept that additionally provide a great deal of customization choices. Past simply including your brand or different designs, you can too take into consideration completely different types. Would your staff recognize fuzzy socks? Additional-long socks? The chances are countless.
Jackets
A high-quality jacket is one other swag merchandise I’ve discovered is commonly an enormous hit. In truth, I do know individuals who have saved sporting their company-branded jackets years after leaving the job! Particularly for folks in colder-weather places, jackets or coats are sometimes very a lot appreciated.
Sun shades
In distinction, if you happen to’re based mostly someplace with loads of solar, take into account trying into {custom} sun shades. You will get glasses in your model colours, and you can too have your brand or slogan printed on the perimeters.
Sun shades could also be particularly widespread in case your staff spend time exterior whereas on the job, or in case your workforce enjoys out of doors actions of their time without work.
Productiveness
The subsequent class of swag concepts is said to productiveness. These are objects that staff may select to take house, however they’ll additionally use them whereas within the workplace.
Sticky Notes
A traditional swag merchandise, sticky notes are one thing all of us want — simply be sure to select ones which might be sufficiently big that they are going to really be helpful.
Pens
You possibly can by no means have sufficient pens! Pens are an important choice to preserve your organization top-of-mind each time an worker writes one thing down.
Pencils
For workers preferring one thing erasable, branded pencils are one other low-cost swag choice which might be all the time appreciated.
Erasers
Whereas rather less widespread than pens and pencils, erasers are certainly one of my favourite swag concepts. They’ll are available nearly any dimension, form, or colour, supplying you with numerous customization choices, they usually’re each inexpensive and universally helpful.
Mouse Pads
Whereas a number of productiveness objects are pretty small, mouse pads provide you with an honest quantity of actual property to work with, supplying you with much more flexibility and house to incorporate {custom} designs.
Journey
One other certainly one of my favourite classes of swag is journey objects. In any case, whether or not I’m simply taking the prepare into the workplace or embarking on a global flight, I all the time want journey objects to assist with the journey.
Tote Bag
Tote luggage could be a versatile choice for coming to work, heading to the gymnasium, or happening an extended journey. Plus, they’re sufficiently big to incorporate some bigger paintings, past only a firm brand or slogan.
Journey Mug
Are your staff massive espresso or tea drinkers? In that case, a journey mug is bound to be successful. Be sure to get one with good critiques, although, since the very last thing you need is folks associating your organization with spilling sizzling espresso throughout themselves on the drive to work.
Water Bottle
Give your folks the present of hydration! Whether or not they preserve it on their desk, take it to the gymnasium, or carry it of their bag, everybody wants a water bottle to assist them keep hydrated all through the day.
Lunch Field
Whilst you won’t have used a lunch field since grade college, it is a distinctive swag choice that may make a huge impact. A lunch field can also be extra versatile than you may assume. Some staff may simply use it to hold their lunch to work, however others may take it to the park for a picnic, and even use it as a mini cooler for a seashore day.
Seaside Towel
For those who’re on the lookout for a swag choice with most actual property to your inventive designs and imagery, look no additional — not solely is a seashore towel enjoyable and helpful, but it surely offers you all of the house you possibly can need for a big, {custom} design.
Wellness
Swag isn’t nearly free stuff. It’s about displaying folks they matter. And the way higher to ship that message than with swag that’s centered on supporting their well being and wellness? Listed below are a few of my favourite wellness-related swag concepts.
Lip Balm
Assist your staff stave off chapped lips with a branded lip balm. You possibly can add a {custom} brand or slogan on the aspect of the tube, reminding folks of your model each time they take it out.
Tissue Packs
Many individuals carry round a pack of tissues of their bag or purse. So why not exchange it with a custom-designed bundle? This can be a helpful present that’s sufficiently small to journey simply, however just a little extra substantial and strange than a lip balm.
Fidget Spinners
Lately, fidget spinners have grow to be massively widespread. That mentioned, they’re nonetheless a comparatively unusual swag present, so providing a branded fidget spinner might be a good way to face out from the group.
Stress Balls
A traditional swag present, stress balls are a low-cost but extremely versatile choice. They’ll are available just about any colour, dimension, or form, and a few firms even develop {custom} stress balls in a singular form that’s related to their enterprise.
Hand Sanitizer
Particularly within the post-Covid period, hand sanitizer has grow to be an more and more appreciated present. Encourage your folks to remain wholesome whereas additionally maintaining one another secure with a {custom} bottle of hand sanitizer.
Tech
Lastly, in case your group enjoys tech and devices, it could be price trying into tech swag choices. A few of these can get just a little dear, however there are additionally loads of low-cost choices to contemplate.
Energy Financial institution
We’ve all been there: You pull out your telephone to verify a message or make an vital name whereas on the go, solely to find that the battery’s useless. A transportable energy financial institution could be a actual lifesaver, and there are many low-cost ones available on the market if finances is a priority.
Mini Speaker
For those who’re open to spending a bit more cash, a custom-branded mini speaker is one other nice, techy swag present. This is perhaps an particularly becoming present for an organization within the audio trade, or for an worker who’s an enormous music buff.
Charging Cable
A lower-cost choice, telephone charging cables are all the time helpful. They don’t provide an excessive amount of room for personalisation, however you’ll be able to embrace a brand or small picture, in addition to exploring choices for colours aligned along with your branding.
Headphones
From low-cost, wired headphones to superior, noise-canceling headphones or earbuds, headphones provide a variety of value factors and high quality ranges to select from. They’re additionally helpful in a variety of settings, from enjoying music that can assist you focus at work to listening to an audiobook in your commute house.
USB Drive
Lastly, USB drives are one other low-cost swag concept that may simply be personalized along with your brand and model colours. USB drives are additionally helpful in a variety of contexts, and if an worker makes use of it to retailer vital recordsdata, they’ll doubtless be taking a look at it day-after-day!
Align Your Firm Swag with Your Firm Tradition
On the finish of the day, crucial issue to contemplate when ordering firm swag is your organization’s tradition. The perfect swag aligns not simply along with your model colours and magnificence information, however with the tradition of your group.
For instance, if you happen to’re a wellness-focused group, wellness-related swag items could also be acceptable. In distinction, in case your workforce is very technical, techy swag could also be extra appreciated. It’s all about understanding the tradition of your group, after which figuring out one of the best sorts of swag to your distinctive workforce.
Editor’s notice: This put up was initially revealed in November 2013 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.